Republican candidate quits after companion caught voting while dead

A Republican candidate for supervisor in Pinal County, Arizona has with withdrawn following allegations that his former companion continued to cast absentee ballots five years after her death.

In a statement issued by his attorneys, John Enright said he was quitting “for several reasons, including an almost year-long battle with cancer,” but did not address the voter fraud allegations, according the The Arizona Republic.

Several weeks ago, the Pinal County Recorder’s Office received an anonymous letter that claimed that absentee ballots had been cast by Sheila Nassar as late as this this year, even though she had died on Feb. 3, 2007. Enright had lived with with Nassar until the time of her death.

In a YouTube video released on Saturday, Enright’s new wife, Sharon Keiser, sits beside him while he explains that he was “surprised” to learn of the voter fraud allegations surrounding Nassar, who he called his “life companion” and former high school girlfriend.

“What I can say is I look forward to learning more about these allegations,” the then-candidate insists in the video. “If they are indeed formal allegations, I will defend myself. I very much look forward to clearing my name.”

About the Author

David Edwards has served as an editor at Raw Story since 2006. His work can also be found at Crooks & Liars, and he's also been published at The BRAD BLOG. He came to Raw Story after working as a network manager for the state of North Carolina and as as engineer developing enterprise resource planning software. Follow him on Twitter at @DavidEdwards.